Program and information processing system

Abstract

To make it easy for a user to transmit a specific value to another user.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer to function as: display control means which causes display means to display a list of images associated with distributors; and accepting means which accepts user's operation on a specific image in the list as an operation of transmitting a specific value from the user to a distributor associated with the specific image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, video distribution services that allow a specific value, such as a gift, to be sent to a distributor are known (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7272570 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in such services, the method of sending a specific value is limited, and it may be difficult to send a specific value to another user.

[0005] The present invention aims to make it easier to send a specific value to another user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment shown in the present disclosure, Computer, a display control means for displaying a list of images associated with the distributor on a display means; and a receiving means for receiving a user's operation on a specific image in the list as an operation for sending a specific value from the user to a distributor related to the specific image. Programs are offered. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate sending a specific value to another user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information processing system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a first program guide screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a second screen of the program guide. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining sending a gift from the viewing screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining sending a gift from the thumbnail list screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining sending a gift from the thumbnail list screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining sending a gift from the thumbnail list screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display related to a broadcaster's reaction to the sending of a gift. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining other operations that can be performed from the thumbnail list screen. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process related to sending a gift. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Hardware configuration of information processing system> As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing system 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of terminal devices 10 and a server 20.

[0011] The terminal device 10 and the server 20 are connected via a network 2. The network 2 may be configured by, for example, the Internet, a mobile communication system (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE (Long Term Evolution), etc.), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), other communication lines, or a combination of these. Furthermore, the connection between the terminal device 10 and the server 20 may be wired or wireless.

[0012] The server 20 (in other words, a computer, an information processing device) may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer. The server 20 includes a processor 21, a memory 22, a storage 23, a communication IF (interface) 24, and an input / output IF 25. These components of the server 20 are connected to each other by a communication bus.

[0013] The processor 21 controls the overall operation of the server 20. The processor 21 may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The processor 21 reads a program from the storage 23 and loads it into the memory 22. The processor 21 executes the loaded program.

[0014] The memory 22 is a main storage device. The memory 22 is configured by storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 22 temporarily stores programs and various data that the processor 21 reads from the storage 23, thereby providing a working area for the processor 21. The memory 22 also temporarily stores various data that the processor 21 generates while operating according to the programs.

[0015] In this embodiment, the program may be a program that realizes a game by the terminal device 10. The program may also be a program that realizes the game through cooperation between the terminal device 10 and the server 20. The game realized through cooperation between the terminal device 10 and the server 20 may, for example, be a game executed on a browser launched on the terminal device 10. The program may also be a program that realizes the game through cooperation between a plurality of terminal devices 10. The various data may include, for example, data related to the game, such as user information and game information, and instructions and notifications transmitted and received between the terminal device 10 and the server 20.

[0016] The storage 23 is an auxiliary storage device. The storage 23 is configured by a storage device such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage 23 stores various data related to the game.

[0017] The communication IF 24 controls transmission and reception of various data between the server 20 and the terminal device 10 and the like via the network.

[0018] The input / output IF 25 is an interface through which the server 20 receives input of data and also an interface through which the server 20 outputs data. The input / output IF 25 may include, for example, an input unit which is an information input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and a display unit which is a device that displays and outputs images.

[0019] The terminal device 10 (in other words, a computer, an information processing device) may be, for example, a smartphone, a feature phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a tablet computer, a personal computer, a wearable terminal, or a game device. The terminal device 10 may be a mobile terminal. The terminal device 10 may be a portable terminal that a user uses when playing a game.

[0020] The terminal device 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a storage 13, a communication IF 14, an input / output IF 15, an input unit 17, and a display unit 18. These components included in the terminal device 10 are connected to each other by a communication bus.

[0021] The processor 11 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 10. The processor 11 may include a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, etc. The processor 11 reads a program from the storage 13 and loads it into the memory 12. The processor 11 executes the loaded program.

[0022] The memory 12 is a main storage device. The memory 12 is configured by storage devices such as a ROM and a RAM. The memory 12 provides a working area for the processor 11 by temporarily storing the programs and various data that the processor 11 reads from the storage 13. The memory 12 also temporarily stores various data that the processor 11 generates while operating according to the programs.

[0023] The storage 13 is an auxiliary storage device. The storage 13 is configured by a storage device such as a flash memory or a HDD. The storage 13 stores various data related to the game.

[0024] The communication IF 14 controls transmission and reception of various data between the terminal device 10 and the server 20 etc. via the network.

[0025] The input / output IF 15 is an interface through which the terminal device 10 receives input of data and also an interface through which the terminal device 10 outputs data. The input / output IF 15 may input and output data via, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. The input / output IF 15 may include an input unit 17, a display unit 18, or the like.

[0026] The input unit 17 accepts input from a user. The input unit 17 may be, for example, a pointing device such as a touchpad. The display unit 18 displays images. The display unit 18 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The terminal device 10 includes, for example, a touch screen 16 which is an electronic component that combines the input unit 17 and the display unit 18.

[0027] The input unit 17 has a function of detecting a position input on the input surface by a user operation (for example, a touch operation, a tap operation, a slide operation, a swipe operation, a flick operation, a pinch-in operation, a pinch-out operation, etc.) and transmitting information indicating the detected position as an input signal. The touch panel serving as the input unit 17 may be of a capacitance type or a resistive film type, or may be of another type.

[0028] The input unit 17 may be, for example, a keyboard, various physical buttons, various sensors (for example, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a motion sensor, a gaze sensor, a bioelectric potential sensor, a fingerprint sensor, a breath sensor, a pressure sensor, or an image sensor), an operation stick, a camera, or a microphone. The display unit 18 may be, for example, a projector.

[0029] <Functional configuration of information processing system> 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 20 and the terminal device 10. The server 20 in this embodiment has, for example, a function to provide each terminal device 10 with various data and programs necessary to realize the game, a function to collect and manage data related to the game from each terminal device 10, and a function to perform synchronization processing between the multiple terminal devices 10.

[0030] In this embodiment, the server 20 identifies each user and the terminal device 10 using a user account that is registered in advance. The method of registering the account is not particularly limited. For example, the terminal device 10 or another device such as a personal computer may transmit information required for registering a user account to the server 20 based on a user operation, and the server 20 may create and store an account for each user based on the received information.

[0031] 2, the server 20 functions as a control unit 210 and a storage unit 220 through cooperation of a processor 21, a memory 22, a storage 23, a communication IF (interface) 24, an input / output IF 25, etc. The storage unit 220 stores various data used by the control unit 210. The various data include, for example, a game program, game information, and user information.

[0032] The game program is a program for implementing the game. The game information and user information are data that the control unit 210 references when executing the game program.

[0033] In this embodiment, the game program may include a game program executed on the terminal device 10 side in addition to a game program executed on the server 20 side. Furthermore, the storage unit 220 may store a game program executed on the server 20 side and a game program executed on the terminal device 10 side.

[0034] Game information is information common between accounts. Game information includes, for example, information for defining various virtual spaces (in other words, game spaces). A virtual space is a space in which objects of characters (hereinafter also referred to as "player characters") that can be controlled by a user are placed. Game information also includes, for example, various setting information related to objects common between accounts, such as background objects such as buildings, trees, and stones placed in the virtual space, and the placement position, size, color, and shape of non-player characters (NPCs). Game information also includes, for example, setting values ​​of various parameters of NPCs. Hereinafter, a character object placed in a virtual space may be simply referred to as a "character."

[0035] User information is information managed for each game account. User information includes, for example, information about the player character, information about owned assets, and information indicating the progress of the game. Owned assets can be said to be value possessed by the user in the virtual space. Examples of such value (in-game value, owned assets) include electronic currency, items, and characters. Examples of electronic currency include in-game currency that can be used in the game and crypto assets.

[0036] The control unit 210 controls various processes related to the game by executing a game program stored in the memory unit 220. The control unit 210 has, for example, a transmission / reception unit 211, a game progression unit 212, a user relationship management unit 215, and a gift processing unit 216.

[0037] The transmission / reception unit 211 sends and receives various types of data. For example, the transmission / reception unit 211 receives requests to send various types of data and programs, requests for synchronization processing to support the multiplay function, data to be subject to synchronization processing, and the like from each terminal device 10, and passes these to the game progression unit 212. Furthermore, the transmission / reception unit 211 sends various types of data and programs, including instructions for achieving synchronization, to each terminal device 10 in accordance with the control of the game progression unit 212.

[0038] In this embodiment, the multiplay function is a function that synchronizes game processing by multiple accounts. When multiple accounts logged in to the information processing system 1 participate in the same game, the server 20 and the terminal device 10 of the information processing system 1 execute various processes to support the multiplay function.

[0039] The game progression unit 212 provides the game to the terminal device 10 by executing calculations described in the game program in response to requests from the terminal device 10, etc.

[0040] The game progression unit 212 defines a virtual space based on information for defining a virtual space, which is included in the game information. The game progression unit 212 places objects in the virtual space based on object setting information, which is included in the game information. The game progression unit 212 controls the objects placed in the virtual space. Specifically, the game progression unit 212 changes the position, orientation, shape, color, etc. of the objects in the virtual space, and causes the objects to perform predetermined actions.

[0041] The game progression unit 212 also places the player characters of the multiple players in the virtual space based on the play information transmitted from each terminal device 10. In other words, the game progression unit 212 performs processing to enable a game space, which is an example of a virtual space, to be shared by multiple users. The game progression unit 212 also performs various determination processes related to the progress of the game based on the play information transmitted from each terminal device 10. In other words, the game progression unit 212 controls objects and performs various determination processes based on user input operations. The play information is output in response to user input operations. For example, the play information may include, as the operation content of the player character, coordinate information of the player character, information regarding the player character's action, or information indicating a button operated by the user. The play information may also include information regarding the player character's settings. For example, the character coordinate information is information indicating the character's position in the game space. For example, the action information is information regarding the character's action. For example, the character's action may include the character's posture, the use of an item, the use of a skill, an attack, a defense, a jump, or the like. For example, information about the character settings may include information about the character's equipment, appearance, etc. Furthermore, the character settings may be changed by the user.

[0042] Furthermore, when the game progression unit 212 receives, for example, a request for synchronization processing to support the multiplay function or data to be subject to synchronization processing from the terminal device 10 via the transmission / reception unit 211, it executes synchronization processing to support the multiplay function. The game progression unit 212 also issues a command to the transmission / reception unit 211 to instruct the transmission / reception unit 211 to send game information or user information. For example, when the server 20 sends information to multiple terminal devices 10, the game progression unit 212 synchronizes the game progressing between the terminal devices 10 by simultaneously sending the information to each terminal device 10. By executing synchronization processing, it becomes possible for in-game events resulting from operations input on one terminal device 10 to be simultaneously reflected on the other terminal devices 10.

[0043] The user relationship management unit 215 manages information related to friends and follows. For example, the user relationship management unit 215 associates a certain user (e.g., a first user) with another user (e.g., a second user) based on a request from the user relationship processing unit 115 (described later), and stores information related to the relationship between the users in the storage unit 220.

[0044] The terminal device 10 in this embodiment has, for example, a function as an input device that accepts input operations from a user, and a function as an output device that outputs images and sounds of a game.

[0045] The terminal device 10 functions as a control unit 110 and a storage unit 120 through cooperation of the processor 11, memory 12, storage 13, communication IF 14, input / output IF 15, etc. The storage unit 120 stores various data used by the control unit 110. Examples of the various data include a game program, game information, and user information. The game program is a program for realizing a game on the terminal device 10 side. The game information and user information are data referenced when the control unit 110 executes the game program. The game information and user information stored in the storage unit 120 may include information similar to the game information and user information stored in the storage unit 220.

[0046] The control unit 110 executes a game program stored in the storage unit 120, thereby controlling various processes related to the game executed on the terminal device 10. The control unit 110 includes, for example, an operation reception unit 111, a transmission / reception unit 112, a game progression unit 113, a display control unit 114, a user relationship processing unit 115, and a distribution unit 116.

[0047] The operation reception unit 111 receives an operation (hereinafter also referred to as an "input operation") input by the user via the input unit 17. Specifically, when an input operation is performed on the input unit 17, the operation reception unit 111 detects the coordinates of the input position and the type of input operation. Examples of the types of input operations include various operations performed with fingers, etc., such as a touch operation, a tap operation, a slide operation, a swipe operation, a flick operation, a pinch-in operation, and a pinch-out operation. The input operation is not limited to an operation of physically contacting the input unit 17 (for example, the touch screen 16) but may also include a non-contact operation. Note that an operation of ending a previously performed input operation, such as a touch-off operation of ending contact with the touch screen 16, can also be considered as one form of input operation.

[0048] Here, the operation reception unit 111 can also receive input operations performed using an operation device connected via the input / output IF 15 in the same way as input operations to the input unit 17 .

[0049] The transmitting / receiving unit 112 transmits or receives various types of data. The transmitting / receiving unit 112 transmits, for example, various types of data and various requests to the server 20. As an example, the data transmitted by the transmitting / receiving unit 112 to the server may include play information, game information, and user information. In other words, the transmitting / receiving unit 112 transmits information regarding the input operation received by the operation receiving unit 111 to the server 20.

[0050] The transmitting / receiving unit 112 also receives various data, programs, and various requests from the server. As an example, the data that the transmitting / receiving unit 112 receives from the server 20 may include the type of one or more characters to be placed in the game space, character coordinate information, character action information, information related to character settings, and other information. As an example, the data that the transmitting / receiving unit 112 receives from the server may include synchronization data to support a multi-play function. The synchronization data may include, for example, data to be synchronized, the type of data, and data for specifying the time to synchronize.

[0051] The game progression unit 113 executes various processes related to the progression of the game. The game progression unit 113 identifies the user's instructions based on the coordinates of the input position and the type of input operation detected by the operation reception unit 111. The game progression unit 113 controls objects, the virtual camera, and the like based on the results of various determination processes related to the progression of the game, which are performed based on the identified instructions. The game progression unit 113 updates, adds, or deletes game information and user information according to the progress of the game.

[0052] The game progression unit 113 defines a virtual camera for specifying an area of ​​the virtual space to be presented to the user. The game progression unit 113 places the virtual camera within the virtual space by defining the position and orientation of the virtual camera within the virtual space. The game progression unit 113 instructs the display control unit 114 to generate an image that depicts the field of view defined by the virtual camera and the objects located in this field of view.

[0053] The position and orientation of the virtual camera can be determined appropriately for each virtual space. For example, the game progression unit 113 uses the position and orientation of a specific object as a reference and positions the virtual camera so that the specific object is located at the center of the field of view in a specific orientation. In this case, the game progression unit 113 adjusts the position and orientation of the virtual camera using the direction, distance, and angle relative to the specific object. The specific object may be, for example, a dynamic object such as a player character or a non-player character, or a static object such as a building, tree, or stone. Dynamic objects include player characters that act based on the operations of each user and non-player characters that act based on the game program.

[0054] The user relationship processing unit 115 executes various processes relating to the friend function and the follow function.

[0055] The distribution unit 116 executes various processes related to distribution, which will be described later.

[0056] The display control unit 114 displays an image on the display unit 18. A specific example will be described below.

[0057] The display control unit 114 generates an image that depicts the area of ​​the virtual space that is within the field of view of the virtual camera defined by the game progression unit 113, and the objects that exist in that area, and displays this image on the display unit 18. The display control unit 114 can superimpose and draw objects related to the UI (User Interface) required for various game operations, such as icons, buttons, and menus showing various parameters, on the image to be displayed on the display unit 18.

[0058] The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may arrange objects in the virtual space based on object data sent from the server 20, information indicating the positions of various objects in the virtual space, and the like, and display a predetermined area of ​​the virtual space on the display unit 18. The control unit 210 of the server 20 may also arrange objects in the virtual space and control the virtual camera, generate an image to be displayed on the display unit 18, and transmit it to the terminal device 10, and the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may display the image on the display unit 18. In other words, various processes related to control of objects based on user input operations, control of the virtual camera, generation of images to be displayed on the display unit 18, and the like may be performed by the server 20 or the terminal device 10.

[0059] Note that the functions of the terminal device 10 and the server 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 are merely examples. Each of the terminal device 10 and the server 20 may have at least some of the functions of the other device. In other words, the server 20 may have some or all of the functional blocks of the terminal device 10 in this embodiment, or the terminal device 10 may have some or all of the functional blocks of the server 20. Furthermore, each device, such as the terminal device 10 and the server 20, does not have to be realized by an integrated device, but may be realized, for example, by multiple devices connected via a network or the like. Furthermore, the information processing system 1 may be composed of, for example, only the terminal device 10 or the server 20. In other words, the information processing system 1 does not have to be realized by multiple devices connected via a network. Furthermore, the terminal device 10 of the distributor and the terminal device 10 of the viewer, which will be described later, may have different functions.

[0060] <Processing according to this embodiment> Next, the processing according to this embodiment will be described. Note that in this embodiment, the processor 11 of the terminal device 10 or the processor 21 of the server 20 will be described as performing each processing described below by executing a game program stored in the information processing system 1. However, at least a part of the processing described below that is performed by the processor 11 may be performed by a processor other than the processor 11. Also, at least a part of the processing described below that is performed by the processor 21 may be performed by a processor other than the processor 21. In other words, the computer that executes the game program in this embodiment may be either the terminal device 10 or the server 20, or may be realized by a combination of multiple devices.

[0061] The following description will be given taking as an example a case where the configuration according to this embodiment is applied to a game in which multiple users form a team. Specifically, the description will be given taking as an example a case where the configuration according to this embodiment is applied to a game in which multiple users are divided into multiple teams and compete against each other (for example, a GvG (Guild Versus Guild) game or an FPS (First Person Shooter) game). In the game of this embodiment, a team of six users competes against other teams. Note that the configuration according to this embodiment may be applied to any game including a role-playing game, an action game, a sports game, and the like. Furthermore, the configuration according to this embodiment is not limited to a game that supports multiplayer, and may also be applied to a game that is played by one person, and the like.

[0062] In the game of this embodiment, each user can operate their own character to compete against an opponent. Here, the opponent is another user (in other words, the team to which the other user belongs), but the opponent may also be a non-player character, etc.

[0063] Furthermore, in the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, a user can register another user as a friend. A friend refers to a relationship in which a certain user and the other user are associated with each other. In other words, a friend refers to a relationship in which one user is associated with another user, and the other user is associated with the other user. In other words, if a second user is a friend from the perspective of a first user, the first user is a friend from the perspective of the second user. A friend may be a relationship established based on mutual consent between a certain user and another user.

[0064] Furthermore, in the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, a user can follow other users. Following refers to a user registering another user in association with the user. In other words, when a first user follows a second user, it does not necessarily mean that the second user is following the first user. Following may be a relationship that can be established based on the will of one party.

[0065] Information indicating other users associated with each user is stored as user information in the storage unit 220 or the storage unit 120. In other words, the storage unit 220 or the storage unit 120 stores users who have a predetermined relationship with the first user (specifically, users who are friends of the first user or users followed by the first user).

[0066] In the following, a user associated with a certain user (for example, a first user) (for example, a friend of the first user or a user who follows the first user) is also referred to as a "related user" of the certain user.

[0067] A user can register another user as a friend by performing a predetermined input operation on the terminal device 10. A user can also follow another user by performing a predetermined input operation on the terminal device 10. Specifically, for example, when a first user performs an input operation (for example, an operation of touching a predetermined button related to the registration) on his / her terminal device 10 related to registering (or following) a second user as a friend, the user relationship processing unit 115 transmits a friend registration (or follow) request to the server 20. Then, based on the signal, the user relationship management unit 215 of the server 20 performs a process of associating the first user with the second user, and stores the second user as a friend (or a user to be followed) of the first user in a predetermined storage unit. When performing the process based on the signal, the user relationship management unit 215 may transmit a signal to the terminal device 10 of the second user notifying that a friend registration request has been made, and may perform the process when the second user performs a predetermined input operation to accept the request on the terminal device 10 that has received the notification signal. In other words, in order for a first user to register a second user as a friend, the consent of the second user who is to be registered may be required. In other words, the friend registration may be established only when the first user requests friend registration from the second user and the second user accepts the request. Note that friend registration and following may be performed automatically based on predetermined conditions without the intervention of a user (e.g., one or both of the first user and second user).

[0068] FIG. 3 shows an example of a home screen 30 displayed on the display unit 18 in the game of this embodiment. The home screen 30 is a basic screen on which a user performs operations to progress through the game. The home screen 30 displays multiple menu items related to the game. The home screen 30 is, for example, the first screen to be displayed when the game (in other words, an application related to a predetermined service) is launched on the terminal device 10. Note that "first displayed when launched" here includes the case where the home screen 30 is displayed after various displays related to the launch (e.g., a title display, a loading display, etc.). Note that the home screen 30 is not limited to being displayed at launch, but may be displayed at a predetermined opportunity. For example, the home screen 30 may be displayed when an input operation is performed on the home button 49, or when an in-game match has ended.

[0069] The display control unit 114 displays a home screen 30 on the display unit 18. The home screen 30 displays a game space (in other words, a virtual space) and objects present in the game space. Specifically, the home screen 30 displays a character 33 owned by the user of the terminal device 10 displaying the home screen 30.

[0070] The home screen 30 also displays a battle button 40 that accepts an operation to start a battle with an opponent, a button that accepts an operation to move to a screen for equipping items to the character 33 (in other words, settings for the character 33), etc. The home screen 30 also displays a broadcast button 44 that accepts an operation to start broadcasting the game (in other words, the battle).

[0071] Additionally, a menu button 48 for displaying a menu screen is displayed on the home screen 30. When the menu button 48 is operated (for example, a tap operation), the display control unit 114 causes the display unit 18 to display the menu screen. The menu screen may display, for example, a user list display button for displaying a list of registered friends or followed users, a profile button for displaying a profile screen related to the character 33, a ranking button for displaying predetermined rankings related to users using the game (for example, rankings related to battles), an option button operated when changing settings related to the game, and a help button operated when receiving instructions on how to use the game. The screen displaying a list of registered friends or followed users can be said to be a screen on which users related to the user can be checked.

[0072] The game progression unit 212 starts a battle (in other words, an event) based on an operation (e.g., a tap operation) on the battle button 40. Note that when a battle begins, the opponent, teammates, etc. may be selected by the user, or the information processing system 1 (e.g., the game progression unit 212) may automatically select them from among multiple users.

[0073] The rules of the game of this embodiment will be explained. In the game of this embodiment, each team aims to achieve a predetermined goal. Specifically, each team aims to defeat the opposing team. The game of this embodiment may also be one in which the goal is to defeat a predetermined enemy character, to reach a predetermined destination, or to obtain a predetermined object. The "enemy character" here may be an NPC or a character controlled by another user. The game of this embodiment may also be one in which a single user aims to achieve a predetermined goal alone, rather than in a team.

[0074] In the game of this embodiment, a match is played under the rule that the team that acquires a rule-related object (e.g., one or more rule-related objects) placed in virtual space wins. More specifically, the match may be played under the rule that the team that acquires (in other words, captures) a base (e.g., one or more bases) placed in virtual space wins (including, for example, the case where the team that acquires the most bases wins), or the rule that the team that acquires (in other words, collects) the most items (e.g., treasure, etc.) placed in virtual space within a predetermined time wins. Note that the rule-related objects may or may not move in virtual space. Furthermore, for example, a match may be played under the rule that the team that defeats all of the characters on the opponent's team wins.

[0075] During a match, the game progression unit 212 moves the player character based on input operations by the user. Specifically, based on input operations by the user, the game progression unit 212 moves the player character within the virtual space and causes the player character to perform actions related to attacking the opponent's character. By attacking the opponent's character and inflicting damage, the opponent's character can be defeated, etc.

[0076] Note that the method for starting a battle and the basic method for operating a player character (for example, processing related to movement, attacking a predetermined object, etc.) can be the same as in conventional games. Furthermore, in the game of this embodiment, the user may be able to configure his or her own player character, specifically, equip the player character with items (for example, weapons, armor, etc.) and select the type of player character to be used in the battle, and the method for configuring such player characters can also be the same as in conventional games.

[0077] Furthermore, in the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, each user can distribute videos of matches in which they participate (hereinafter referred to as "gameplay videos") to other users and can watch the distributed gameplay videos. Specifically, the application for playing a game (e.g., a match, etc.) has functions for distributing and viewing the match as functions. That is, the information processing system 1 of this embodiment allows distribution and viewing of events taking place in a virtual space. Note that each user can also play a game (in other words, a match) without distributing. In other words, the game progression unit 113 can progress a match (in other words, a game) even when distribution is not taking place.

[0078] The distribution unit 116 starts distribution, for example, based on a user operation (e.g., a tap operation) on the distribution button 44. Specifically, the distribution unit 116 transmits to the server 20 data for displaying a video (in other words, a gameplay video) corresponding to the game play status of the user on the terminal device 10 of another user, based on the user's operation on the distribution button 44. That is, when the user operates the distribution button 44, the gameplay video of the user is distributed. Furthermore, the distribution unit 116 stops distribution, for example, based on a user operation (e.g., a tap operation) on the distribution button 44 while distribution is being performed.

[0079] The control unit 110 receives data for displaying (in other words, playing) the distributed gameplay video on the terminal device 10 from the server 20 based on a user's input operation related to starting viewing of the distributed gameplay video (for example, a tap operation on a thumbnail 60 for a specific broadcast, which will be described later), and instructs the display control unit 114 to display the gameplay video on the display unit 18. In other words, the display control unit 114 displays the gameplay video on the display unit 18 based on the operation related to starting viewing of the distributed gameplay video. In other words, the display control unit 114 displays the video of the broadcast selected by the user from among the broadcasts that can be viewed on the display unit 18.

[0080] That is, when an input operation related to starting video distribution is performed on the terminal device 10 of the first user and distribution begins, the video can be viewed on the terminal device 10 of the second user. Here, the video viewed by the second user (in other words, the distribution) is a gameplay video of the first user, and shows the progress of the match in which the first user is participating. That is, on the terminal device 10 of the second user, it is possible to view the play content of the first user, in other words, the state of the first user playing the game, in real time. Note that, on the terminal device 10 of the second user, a screen similar to the game screen displayed on the terminal device 10 of the first user may be displayed as the gameplay video of the first user. Note that known technologies can be used for the distribution method and viewing method of the gameplay video.

[0081] When a user wishes to broadcast a match in which the user is participating to other users, the user operates, for example, a broadcast button 44 displayed on the home screen 30. The broadcast function may not be available to a user unless the user has attained a predetermined required rank. Specifically, if the user has not attained a predetermined rank, the broadcast button 44 may not be displayed, or may be displayed but may not accept input operations to start broadcasting. The rank may indicate the user's level of proficiency or the user's relative position among other users. The rank includes what is commonly referred to as a level in general games. The user's rank may be the user's own rank or the rank of the character 33 used by the user.

[0082] Furthermore, when the user wishes to view another user's broadcast, the user performs an operation (for example, a tap operation) on the program guide transition button 46 displayed on the home screen 30. When this operation is performed, the display control unit 114 causes the display unit 18 to display the program guide first screen 32 shown in FIG. 4. That is, when this operation is performed, the display control unit 114 transitions the home screen 30 to the program guide first screen 32.

[0083] The first program guide screen 32 is the top screen of the program guide. The first program guide screen 32 displays a list of available broadcasts (i.e., programs). The first program guide screen 32 displays thumbnails 60 of available broadcasts, categorized into multiple categories such as "popular," "favorites," and "new arrivals." On the first program guide screen 32, by touching a location corresponding to a category and performing an input operation of scrolling horizontally, the thumbnails 60 of that category (i.e., thumbnails 60 hidden outside the display screen) are sequentially displayed. A user can select (e.g., tap) a specific thumbnail 60 (i.e., a specific broadcast) from the list of thumbnails 60 to view the broadcast corresponding to the selected thumbnail 60. Note that each category area on the first program guide screen 32 may be configured to display only a portion of currently available broadcasts. Specifically, for example, each category area on the first program guide screen 32 may display only broadcasts selected according to a predetermined index value (i.e., points or score). Such index value may fluctuate depending on the actions of the distributor, the actions of viewers regarding the distributed video, etc. Specifically, for example, the index value indicating the popularity of a distribution may fluctuate based on one or more of the distribution time, viewing time, number of viewers, transmission of specific value from viewers regarding the distribution, and number of comments from viewers, and among the distributions belonging to each category, distributions with high index values ​​may be displayed in each category area of ​​the first program guide screen 32.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when an operation (e.g., a tap operation) is performed on a category detail button 50 provided corresponding to each category on the first program guide screen 32, the display control unit 114 performs display control to switch to a screen that displays a list of only the broadcasts (in other words, thumbnails 60) of the category on which the operation was performed. For example, when an operation is performed on the category detail button 50a corresponding to the "favorite" category, the display control unit 114 causes the display unit 18 to display the second program guide screen 34 shown in FIG. 5, which displays a list of only the broadcasts belonging to the "favorite" category. That is, when the operation is performed, the display control unit 114 transitions the first program guide screen 32 to the second program guide screen 34. Then, by performing an input operation to scroll the screen, for example, vertically, on the second program guide screen 34, thumbnails 60 of the broadcasts belonging to the "favorite" category (in other words, thumbnails 60 hidden outside the display screen) are displayed sequentially. Note that in FIG. 4, the category detail button 50 is shown as a button with an arrow mark and a tab-type button on which a category name is written.

[0085] That is, when the first program guide screen 32, which lists broadcasts in a plurality of categories, is displayed, and an input operation to select a specific category is performed, the display control unit 114 displays the second program guide screen, which lists broadcasts in the selected specific category. Furthermore, broadcasts in categories other than the specific category are not displayed on the second program guide screen 34. In other words, in this embodiment, only a portion (here, one) of the categories displayed on the first program guide screen 32 are displayed on the second program guide screen 34. Furthermore, broadcasts in categories other than the specific category may also be displayed on the second program guide screen.

[0086] Here, the multiple categories related to distribution include the "favorite" category as described above. The "favorite" category is a category corresponding to distributions of users who have a predetermined relationship with the user who is attempting to view (in other words, the user of the terminal device 10 on which the first program guide screen 32 or the second program guide screen 34 is displayed). Specifically, in this embodiment, only distributions of related users of the user who is attempting to view belong to the "favorite" category. In other words, only distributions of related users are displayed on the second program guide screen 34 for the "favorite" category.

[0087] Note that the first program guide screen 32 may have a predetermined limitation on the display of information related to related users, compared to the second program guide screen 34. In this embodiment, the first program guide screen 32 has a limited number of broadcasts (in other words, thumbnails 60) displayed, compared to the second program guide screen 34. Specifically, on the second program guide screen 34, scrolling the screen (specifically, scrolling up and down) displays all broadcasts currently being broadcast by related users related to the user. On the other hand, on the first program guide screen 32, scrolling the screen (specifically, scrolling horizontally at the location corresponding to the "favorite" category) displays only a maximum of five broadcasts by related users. Note that the maximum five broadcasts displayed on the first program guide screen 32 are broadcasts selected for each category based on a predetermined index (e.g., the index value described above). In other words, the first program guide screen 32 displays only broadcasts that are ranked at or above a predetermined rank (here, up to the fifth place) based on the predetermined index for each category.

[0088] Note that only broadcasts currently being broadcast may be displayed on both or one of the first program guide screen 32 and the second program guide screen 34. In other words, past broadcasts may be displayed or not displayed on the first program guide screen 32 or the second program guide screen 34. In other words, in this embodiment, only real-time viewing of broadcasts (in other words, live broadcasts) may be possible. Furthermore, past broadcasts may be displayed on both or one of the first program guide screen 32 and the second program guide screen 34.

[0089] The display control unit 114 of the terminal device 10 of the user (i.e., viewer) watching the broadcast causes the display unit 18 to display a viewing screen 70 for watching the broadcast, as shown in Fig. 6, based on the user's operation on the thumbnail 60. Specifically, based on the user's operation of selecting a specific thumbnail 60 from the list of thumbnails 60, the display control unit 114 causes the display unit 18 to display a viewing screen 70 for watching the broadcast corresponding to the specific thumbnail 60.

[0090] On the viewing screen 70, the gameplay video is played, and the user can view the broadcast corresponding to the selected thumbnail 60. Also, on the viewing screen 70, a chat box 72 that displays chat related to the broadcast being viewed is displayed. The chat box 72 displays comments entered by the broadcaster and comments entered by viewers (the broadcaster and other users) viewing the broadcast.

[0091] (Sending specific value) The information processing system 1 of this embodiment allows so-called tipping, similar to conventional video distribution services and the like. In other words, a user (i.e., a viewer) can send a specific value to another user (i.e., a broadcaster). Here, the "specific value" that can be sent to another user may be something that the user can purchase by consuming their own assets, or the asset itself. In other words, the "specific value" may be, for example, money (i.e., electronic currency), a substitute for money, or a predetermined item related to the game (e.g., an item used in a match). In other words, "sending a specific value" includes so-called tipping, sending an item, and the like. Hereinafter, sending a specific value is also referred to as "sending a gift."

[0092] In the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to send a gift to the broadcaster of a broadcast that you are watching while watching the broadcast (in other words, within the broadcast), similar to conventional video distribution services, etc. The method of sending a gift while watching the broadcast can be the same as that of conventional video distribution services, etc., but may also be, for example, as follows.

[0093] As described above, the display control unit 114 displays the viewing screen 70 on the display unit 18, on which a stream is viewed, based on a user's operation on the thumbnail 60. On the viewing screen 70, as shown in FIG. 6(a), a gameplay video is displayed in a predetermined area P, and a gift button 73 is also displayed. The user can then operate the gift button 73 to send a gift to the broadcaster of the stream being viewed. Note that the size of the predetermined area P (in other words, the proportion of the broadcast video in the entire display area of ​​the display unit 18) is larger than the size of a single thumbnail 60 (in other words, the proportion of the thumbnail 60 in the entire display area of ​​the display unit 18). That is, on the first program guide screen 32 and the second program guide screen 34, images related to the stream are displayed in a smaller size than on the viewing screen 70. Note that on the first program guide screen 32 and the second program guide screen 34, images related to the stream may be displayed in a size equal to or larger than that of the viewing screen 70.

[0094] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the display control unit 114 displays a selection UI 74 on the display unit 18 as a UI for selecting the content of the gift to be sent (in other words, at least one of the type of value or the amount of value to be sent) based on an operation (e.g., a tap operation) on the gift button 73. The selection UI 74 displays a list of selectable gift contents. Then, by selecting a specific option from the listed options (e.g., a tap operation on a specific option) and operating the execute button 75 included in the selection UI 74 (e.g., a tap operation), a gift with the selected content is sent to the broadcaster of the broadcast being viewed.

[0095] That is, the operation receiving unit 111 receives a user's operation on the gift button 73 and an operation on the selection UI 74 as an operation to send a gift (specifically, the value of the content corresponding to the option selected in the selection UI 74) from the user to the broadcaster of the broadcast being viewed. The transmitting / receiving unit 112 transmits a request for sending a gift from the user to the broadcaster to the server 20 based on the operation on the gift button 73 and the selection UI 74. Based on the request, the gift processing unit 216 increases the broadcaster's assets by the amount of the gift sent from the user, and decreases the user's assets by an amount corresponding to the gift sent to the broadcaster (in other words, an amount equivalent to the consideration). In other words, the gift processing unit 216 transmits a gift from the user to the broadcaster based on the user's operation on the gift button 73 and the selection UI 74.

[0096] Furthermore, in the game of this embodiment, it is possible to send gifts to broadcasters when a broadcast is not being viewed (in other words, outside of broadcast). Specifically, when thumbnails 60 are displayed in a list, it is possible to send gifts to a broadcaster associated with a specific thumbnail 60. In other words, when the first program guide screen 32 or the second program guide screen 34 is displayed on the display unit 18, it is possible to send gifts to a broadcaster associated with a specific thumbnail 60. Hereinafter, the first program guide screen 32 and the second program guide screen 34 are also referred to as thumbnail list screens. Note that a "broadcaster associated with a thumbnail" can also be referred to as a broadcaster of a broadcast corresponding to the thumbnail. Note that, on the thumbnail list screen, some or all of the thumbnails 60 may be in a state where the video corresponding to that thumbnail 60 is being played, but this state can also be considered a state where viewing of the broadcast has not yet begun (in other words, outside of broadcast).

[0097] A gift button 82 is displayed on the thumbnail list screen, as shown in Fig. 7. By operating the gift button 82, the user can send a gift to a distributor associated with a specific thumbnail 60 among the multiple thumbnails 60 displayed in the list.

[0098] Specifically, the display control unit 114 displays a selection UI 83 as a UI for selecting the content of the gift to be sent (in other words, at least one of the type of value or the amount of value to be sent) on the display unit 18, based on a tap operation on the gift button 82. The selection UI 83 displays a list of selectable gift contents.

[0099] In this embodiment, the content of the gift to be sent is determined by selecting a specific option from the options displayed in the selection UI 83. Also, the recipient of the gift is determined by selecting a specific thumbnail 60 from the thumbnails 60 displayed in the thumbnail list screen.

[0100] That is, the operation accepting unit 111 accepts, as an operation for determining the content of the gift to be sent, an operation for selecting a specific option from the options listed in the selection UI 83 (for example, a tap operation on the specific option). The gift processing unit 216 determines the content of the gift to be sent based on the operation for selecting the specific option.

[0101] In addition, the operation receiving unit 111 receives an operation of selecting a specific thumbnail 60 from the thumbnails 60 listed on the thumbnail list screen (for example, a tap operation on a specific thumbnail 60) as an operation of determining the recipient of the gift.

[0102] 7(b), the selection UI 83 may allow selection from a first type of gift (e.g., 1000 yen worth of electronic currency), a second type of gift (e.g., 500 yen worth of electronic currency), a third type of gift (e.g., a gift that looks like a flower), and a fourth type of gift (e.g., a gift that looks like fireworks). In this case, when the user selects a specific type of gift on the selection UI 83 and then performs a touch operation on a specific thumbnail 60 from the thumbnails 60 displayed in a list, the user sends the specific type of gift to the distributor associated with the distribution of the specific thumbnail 60.

[0103] That is, the operation receiving unit 111 receives a user operation on a specific thumbnail 60 in the list of thumbnails 60 as an operation to send a gift from the user to a broadcaster associated with the specific thumbnail 60. The transmitting / receiving unit 112 transmits a request to the server 20 to send a gift from the user to the broadcaster based on the operation on the specific thumbnail 60. Based on the request, the gift processing unit 216 increases the broadcaster's assets by the amount of the gift sent from the user, and decreases the user's assets by an amount corresponding to the gift sent to the broadcaster (in other words, an amount equivalent to the consideration). In other words, based on the user's operation on the specific thumbnail 60, the gift processing unit 216 transmits a gift from the user to a broadcaster associated with the specific thumbnail 60. That is, in the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, a user can send a gift to a broadcaster associated with the thumbnail 60 by operating the thumbnail 60.

[0104] In addition, an operation on the thumbnail 60 when an operation to determine the contents of the gift to be sent (in other words, an operation on the selection UI 83) has been performed is accepted as an operation to send a gift to the broadcaster associated with the thumbnail 60, while an operation on the thumbnail 60 when an operation to determine the contents of the gift to be sent (in other words, an operation on the selection UI 83) has not been performed may be accepted as an operation to start watching the broadcast corresponding to the thumbnail 60.

[0105] The sending of a specific value in response to an operation on the thumbnail 60 may be performed as follows.

[0106] (Operation example 1) For example, the operation receiving unit 111 may receive a tracing operation of one or more thumbnails 60 displayed in a list of thumbnails 60 (in other words, an operation of sliding a finger over thumbnails 60 associated with a broadcaster to whom a gift is to be sent) as an operation to send a gift from the user to the broadcaster associated with the traced thumbnails 60. When the user performs a tracing operation of multiple thumbnails 60 displayed in the list of thumbnails 60 (in other words, a sliding operation of sequentially passing over multiple thumbnails 60), the transmitting / receiving unit 112 may transmit a request to the server 20 to send a gift to each of the broadcasters associated with each of the passed thumbnails 60. Based on the request, the gift processing unit 216 may increase the assets held by each broadcaster by the amount of the gift sent by the user and decrease the assets held by the user by an amount corresponding to the gift sent to each broadcaster (in other words, an amount equivalent to the consideration). In other words, it may be possible to send gifts to multiple broadcasters corresponding to multiple broadcasts with a single operation.

[0107] 8(a), for example, when a user moves a finger F touching the display unit 18 (in other words, the touch screen 16) along a trajectory R indicated by a dotted line while keeping the finger F in contact with the display unit 18, i.e., when the finger F moves through thumbnails 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d displayed on the thumbnail list screen, gifts are sent to the respective broadcasters associated with thumbnails 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d. At this time, the display control unit 114 may display an image 84 representing a gift (in FIG. 8(a), an image representing money in the case where electronic currency is sent as a gift) on the display unit 18 in accordance with the movement of the finger F.

[0108] Here, the content of the gift to be sent to each of the broadcasters associated with each of the multiple thumbnails 60 may be determined as follows. That is, for example, a specific type of gift selected in advance on the selection UI 83 may be sent to each of the broadcasters associated with each of the traced thumbnails 60. In this case, the amount of gift sent to each broadcaster may be an amount corresponding to the time an operation is performed on the corresponding thumbnail 60 (e.g., the time a finger is touching the thumbnail 60). Specifically, the longer the operation time, the greater the amount of gift sent to the corresponding broadcaster. Furthermore, the amount of gift sent to each broadcaster may be constant (in other words, the same) regardless of the time an operation is performed on the corresponding thumbnail 60. Furthermore, gifts may be sent without selecting a type of gift on the selection UI 83. That is, for example, when the gift button 82 is operated, a tracing operation on the thumbnail 60 becomes valid without an operation on the selection UI 83, and a predetermined gift may be sent to the broadcaster by the tracing operation. In other words, the type of gift to be sent to the broadcaster may not be selectable.

[0109] The sending of gifts in an amount corresponding to the duration of the operation may be, for example, as follows. That is, for example, while the user's finger is touching a specific thumbnail 60, a certain amount of gifts may be sent to the broadcaster associated with the specific thumbnail 60 at regular intervals. Also, for example, the total amount of gifts to be sent by a series of tracing operations may be determined separately before or after the series of tracing operations are performed, and the broadcaster associated with each thumbnail 60 operated in the series of tracing operations may receive gifts in an amount corresponding to the proportion of the time the operation was performed in the series of tracing operations (in other words, the time the user's finger touched the thumbnail 60). The process of determining the content of the gifts to be sent to each broadcaster according to the duration of the operation may be performed by the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 or the control unit 210 of the server 20.

[0110] Note that if the time during which an operation is performed on a specific thumbnail 60 is less than a predetermined time, a gift may not be sent to the broadcaster associated with the specific thumbnail 60. This configuration can prevent a gift from being sent by mistake to a broadcaster associated with a thumbnail 60 that is accidentally touched by a finger for a moment when tracing the thumbnail 60.

[0111] (Operation example 2) Furthermore, for example, a specific value may be sent by an operation on a thumbnail 60, without an operation on the gift button 82 or an operation on the selection UI 83. That is, for example, the operation accepting unit 111 may accept a first operation on a specific thumbnail 60 in the list of thumbnails 60 (e.g., a long press operation, a double tap operation, or an operation of touching the specific thumbnail 60 and rotating a finger in a circular motion on the screen, etc.) as an operation to send a gift to a broadcaster associated with the specific thumbnail 60. Note that the operation accepting unit 111 may accept a second operation on the specific thumbnail 60 in the list of thumbnails 60 (e.g., a tap operation, etc.) as an operation to start viewing the broadcast corresponding to the specific thumbnail 60. Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 112 may transmit a request to the server 20 to send a gift to a broadcaster associated with the specific thumbnail 60, based on the first operation on the specific thumbnail 60.

[0112] Here, the display control unit 114 may cause the selection UI 83 to be displayed on the display unit 18 based on the first operation on the specific thumbnail 60. Then, based on the first operation on the specific thumbnail 60 and the user's operation on the selection UI 83, the gift processing unit 216 may send a gift from the user to the broadcaster associated with the specific thumbnail 60, the gift having the content specified by the operation on the selection UI 83.

[0113] Note that a first operation (e.g., a long press, a double tap, or an operation of touching the specific thumbnail 60 and moving a finger in a circular motion on the screen) on a specific thumbnail 60 performed after an operation on the gift button 82 or an operation on the selection UI 83 may be accepted as an operation to send a gift to the broadcaster associated with the specific thumbnail 60. Then, a second operation (e.g., a tap operation) on the specific thumbnail 60 performed after an operation on the gift button 82 or an operation on the selection UI 83 may be accepted as an operation to start viewing the broadcast corresponding to the specific thumbnail 60.

[0114] In this way, the user may be able to set whether or not to enable an operation related to sending a gift (in other words, a first operation) and an operation related to starting viewing (in other words, a second operation) as operations on the thumbnail 60. That is, the control unit 110 may be able to switch, based on a user operation, between a state in which the second operation is accepted but the first operation is not accepted as operations on the thumbnail 60, and a state in which both the second operation and the first operation are accepted.

[0115] In this embodiment, the broadcaster may be the user of the account broadcasting (i.e., who operated the broadcast button 44), or the user of another account linked to the account broadcasting, or may be a user appearing in the broadcast, or a user operating a character appearing in the broadcast (i.e., an avatar or a player character). For example, each user may register in advance in the storage unit 220, from their own terminal device 10, the broadcasters who will appear in the broadcast that they will start by operating the broadcast button 44, and the gift processing unit 216 may determine the recipient (i.e., the broadcaster) to whom the gift will be sent based on the registered information. In other words, when a gift is sent for a broadcast that is about to start, it may be possible to register, from a specific terminal device (e.g., the terminal device 10 that performs the operation related to starting the broadcast), which user will receive the gift as the broadcaster, from among the user who operates to start the broadcast, the user appearing in the broadcast, or the user operating the character appearing in the broadcast. Furthermore, a user may be able to invite other users as guests to a broadcast that they started by operating the broadcast button 44, and a user who participates in the broadcast based on such an invitation may be included in the broadcaster. In this way, a specific user set by a predetermined operation by the user can become the distributor associated with the thumbnail 60.

[0116] (Processing when there are multiple broadcasters) A plurality of broadcasters may be set for one broadcast. In other words, a plurality of broadcasters may be associated with one thumbnail 60. When a plurality of broadcasters are set for one broadcast, a user sending a gift may be able to specify which of the plurality of broadcasters to send the gift to when sending the gift.

[0117] For example, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the display control unit 114 may display a display (hereinafter referred to as a "destination confirmation UI 86") on the display unit 18 to confirm to which of the multiple broadcasters the gift should be sent, based on an operation related to sending a gift being performed on a specific thumbnail 60 associated with multiple broadcasters among the multiple thumbnails 60 displayed on the thumbnail list screen. The destination confirmation UI 86 may display, for example, the usernames of the multiple broadcasters. The operation accepting unit 111 may then accept, as an operation to specify a gift destination, an operation to select a specific broadcaster from among the multiple broadcasters displayed in the destination confirmation UI 86 (in other words, candidate gift destinations). The gift processing unit 216 sends the gift to the person specified by the operation to specify the gift destination.

[0118] Furthermore, the destination of the gift may be determined depending on which area of ​​the thumbnail 60 is operated. For example, when a touch operation is performed on a specific thumbnail 60 in a list of thumbnails 60 as an operation to determine the destination of the gift, if the touch operation is performed on a first area of ​​the specific thumbnail 60, the operation receiving unit 111 may accept the touch operation as an operation to send a gift to a first broadcaster associated with the specific thumbnail. Furthermore, if the touch operation is performed on a second area of ​​the specific thumbnail 60, the operation receiving unit 111 may accept the touch operation as an operation to send a gift to a second broadcaster associated with the specific thumbnail 60. Here, the first area and the second area may be areas obtained by dividing the entire thumbnail 60 by the number of users associated with the thumbnail 60, such as the left half area and the right half area of ​​the thumbnail 60, for example. The first and second areas may be, for example, a portion of the thumbnail 60 showing the face of the first broadcaster and a portion of the thumbnail 60 showing the face of the second broadcaster. The first and second areas may be, for example, a portion of the thumbnail 60 showing the character (in other words, an avatar or a player character) of the first broadcaster and a portion of the thumbnail 60 showing the character (in other words, an avatar or a player character) of the second broadcaster. The broadcaster associated with the thumbnail 60 may be able to set in advance which area of ​​the thumbnail 60 corresponds to which broadcaster. The control unit 210 of the server 20 or the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user sending the gift may use image recognition to identify the portion of the thumbnail 60 showing the face of each broadcaster or the portion of each character, and determine each area. Such image recognition may be performed by pre-storing an image of each broadcaster's face or a character image corresponding to each broadcaster in the memory unit 220 of the server 20, etc., and using these images.

[0119] (Prevention of incorrect operation) When a predetermined operation is performed on a specific thumbnail 60 in the list of thumbnails 60, the display control unit 114 may cause the display unit 18 to display a display (hereinafter referred to as an "intention confirmation UI 87") that confirms whether the operation performed by the user was intended to send a gift, as shown in FIG. 9(a). For example, the display control unit 114 may cause the display unit 18 to display the intention confirmation UI 87 based on the operation of tracing the thumbnail 60 (see FIG. 8(a)), as exemplified in Operation Example 1. Furthermore, for example, the display control unit 114 may cause the display unit 18 to display the intention confirmation UI 87 based on the first operation on a specific thumbnail 60, as exemplified in Operation Example 2.

[0120] The intention confirmation UI 87 may display, for example, a character string confirming whether or not to send a gift. The intention confirmation UI 87 may also include an accept button for accepting an operation to accept the gift sending and a reject button for accepting an operation to reject the gift sending. When the accept button is operated, the gift processing unit 216 sends the gift. When the reject button is operated, the gift processing unit 216 does not send the gift. This configuration prevents a gift from being sent by mistake when the user performs an operation related to gift sending without intending to send a gift. The intention confirmation UI 87 may also confirm whether to send a gift or start viewing a stream. In other words, the reject button referred to here may accept an operation to start viewing a stream related to the operated thumbnail 60.

[0121] (Gift sending restrictions) It may be possible to set an upper limit (in other words, a limit amount) in advance for sending gifts in a state where a list of thumbnails 60 is displayed (in other words, outside of distribution).

[0122] For example, the operation accepting unit 111 accepts a user's input operation related to setting the upper limit while a setting screen related to the setting is displayed on the display unit 18. Specifically, the operation accepting unit 111 may accept an operation to set an upper limit on the amount of gifts that can be sent to a broadcaster (specifically, one or more broadcasters) at one time. For example, the operation accepting unit 111 may accept an operation to set an upper limit on the amount of gifts that can be sent per operation of tracing the thumbnail 60 illustrated in operation example 1. The operation accepting unit 111 may also accept an operation to set an upper limit on the amount of gifts that can be sent to a broadcaster (specifically, one or more broadcasters) within a predetermined period of time. Based on the user's operation, the gift processing unit 216 sets an upper limit on the amount of gifts that can be sent to a broadcaster at one time or within a predetermined period of time, and limits the sending of gifts by the user based on the setting.

[0123] (Sending gifts in bulk) It may be possible to send a gift in bulk to multiple (e.g., all) thumbnails 60 displayed on a thumbnail list screen. Specifically, it may be possible to send a gift in bulk to multiple thumbnails 60 displayed on a thumbnail list screen that lists thumbnails 60 of a predetermined type (in other words, having a predetermined attribute). For example, it may be possible to send a gift in bulk to each of multiple broadcasters associated with each of multiple thumbnails 60 displayed on the second program guide screen 34 for the "favorite" category, which lists thumbnails of broadcasts belonging to the "favorite" category.

[0124] 9(b), the selection UI 83 displayed based on an operation on the gift button 82 displayed on the second program guide screen 34 may display a bulk sending button 88 that accepts an operation to send gifts collectively to each of the multiple broadcasters associated with each of the multiple thumbnails 60 displayed on the second program guide screen 34. Then, based on an operation on the bulk sending button 88 accepted by the operation accepting unit 111, the gift processing unit 216 may send gifts collectively to each of the multiple broadcasters associated with each of the multiple thumbnails 60 displayed on the second program guide screen 34. Here, the content of the gift to be sent may be selectable from options displayed in a list on the selection UI 83.

[0125] Furthermore, when sending gifts in a lump sum, the same amount of gifts may be sent to each of multiple broadcasters to whom gifts are sent, or a larger amount of gifts may be sent to some broadcasters than to the other broadcasters. For example, the allocation of the total amount of gifts sent in a lump sum to each broadcaster may be set by the user. Specifically, for example, the gift processing unit 216 may send gifts in an allocation designated by the user based on a user operation specifying the allocation to each broadcaster, which is received by the operation receiving unit 111. Furthermore, the allocation of the total amount of gifts sent in a lump sum to each broadcaster may be determined by the gift processing unit 216 according to a predetermined rule (in other words, automatically). Specifically, for example, the gift processing unit 216 may send a larger amount of gifts to broadcasters who have a predetermined relationship with the user than to broadcasters who do not have the predetermined relationship. Here, a "broadcaster who has a specific relationship with the user" may be, for example, the user's friend, a broadcaster that the user follows, a broadcaster that the user has registered as a favorite broadcaster, or a broadcaster whose broadcasts are frequently viewed by the user (in other words, a specific user identified based on the user's viewing history).

[0126] (Thumbnail display format) The streams may include streams in which a predetermined benefit is granted to the user who sent the gift and streams in which the predetermined benefit is not granted. Furthermore, the thumbnail list screen may display thumbnails 60 corresponding to streams in which the predetermined benefit is granted to the user who sent the gift and thumbnails 60 corresponding to streams in which the predetermined benefit is not granted to the user who sent the gift in a manner that allows the user to distinguish between them. For example, either the former thumbnail 60 or the latter thumbnail 60 may be displayed in a manner that allows the user to distinguish whether a gift has already been sent for the stream associated with that thumbnail 60. This configuration provides the user with information to decide which stream to send a gift to when sending a gift outside of a stream.

[0127] Furthermore, on the thumbnail list screen, thumbnails 60 associated with streamers who are relatively highly requesting for gift delivery may be displayed in a manner that allows them to distinguish between thumbnails 60 associated with streamers who are relatively less requesting for gift delivery. For example, one of the former thumbnails 60 and the latter thumbnails 60 may be displayed surrounded by a frame of a specific color or with a specific mark attached. This configuration provides users with information to decide which stream to send a gift to when sending gifts outside of a stream. Note that the relative level of request may be determined, for example, as follows. For example, if streamers are allowed to add tags such as "Looking for friends," "Please share," or "Give me a gift" to their streams, streamers who add tags such as "Give me a gift" that request gift delivery may be considered to be more requesting than streamers who do not add tags that request gift delivery. Also, for example, if a broadcaster is able to set up a setting to refuse gift sending, a broadcaster who has not set up such a setting may be considered to have a relatively higher level of demand than a broadcaster who has set up such a setting.

[0128] (Reaction to gift delivery) The display control unit 114 of the terminal device 10 of a distributor who is currently distributing causes the display unit 18 to display a currently distributing screen 90, as shown in FIG. 10(a). The currently distributing screen 90 displays the content being distributed to other users in a predetermined area Q. In other words, the currently distributing screen 90 allows other users who are watching the distribution to check the display content that will be displayed on their terminal devices 10. The currently distributing screen 90 also displays a chat field 92 that displays chats related to the distribution. The chat field 92 displays comments entered by the distributor and comments entered by viewers watching the distribution. The content being streamed and the chat box 92 may be displayed without overlapping, or may be displayed overlapping. In the currently streaming screen 90 of this embodiment, a game screen on which the streamer plays the game is displayed as the content being streamed, and the streamer progresses through the game by, for example, operating a player character while viewing the game screen. The streamer may be able to stream an image (e.g., the streamer's face, etc.) captured by a camera provided in the terminal device 10. In this case, the content being streamed displayed on the currently streaming screen 90 will be the image captured by the camera.

[0129] When a user sends a gift to a broadcaster, the broadcaster who received the gift is notified that the gift has been sent. Specifically, when a gift is sent to a broadcaster based on a predetermined operation by the user, the gift processing unit 216 transmits a signal to the terminal device 10 of the broadcaster notifying the broadcaster that the gift has been sent. Then, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the broadcaster notifies the broadcaster that the gift has been sent based on the signal. Specifically, the display control unit 114 of the terminal device 10 of the broadcaster displays a message in the chat field 92 of the broadcasting screen 90 notifying the broadcaster that the gift has been sent. More specifically, the display control unit 114 displays the username of the user who sent the gift and the contents of the gift in the chat field 92. Furthermore, when the gift is sent from outside the broadcast (in other words, when the gift is sent based on an operation on a specific thumbnail 60 on the thumbnail list screen), the display control unit 114 displays a message in the chat field 92 indicating that the gift was sent from outside the broadcast (in FIG. 10(a) , the message "Outside the Broadcast" is displayed). That is, when notifying the broadcaster that a gift has been sent, the control unit 110 of the broadcaster's terminal device 10 displays on the broadcasting screen 90 a display that identifies the status of the user who sent the gift (specifically, whether the user was watching the broadcast at the time the gift was sent or currently). As will be described later, in this embodiment, a user can also send a gift anonymously, and if the gift is sent anonymously, the username of the user who sent the gift is not displayed. The control unit 110 of the broadcaster's terminal device 10 may notify the broadcaster that a gift has been sent by, for example, outputting a predetermined sound from the speaker of the terminal device 10.

[0130] Furthermore, when a user sends a gift to a broadcaster, the display control unit 114 of the broadcaster's terminal device 10 displays a display informing the user that the gift has been sent on the broadcasting screen 90, and also displays a reply button 93 on the broadcasting screen 90 as a UI for sending a response to the gift sending. When the reply button 93 is operated, the display control unit 114 of the broadcaster's terminal device 10 displays an input field on the broadcasting screen 90 for inputting a reply comment as a response to the gift sending. The control unit 110 of the broadcaster's terminal device 10 accepts the operation on the reply button 93 and the operation on the input field as an operation for sending a reply comment in response to the gift sending, and transmits the reply comment to the terminal device 10 of the user who sent the gift via the server 20. Then, upon receiving the reply comment, the control unit 110 of the user's terminal device 10 displays the reply comment on the display unit 18.

[0131] For example, suppose a user sends a gift by operating a thumbnail 60 displayed on the thumbnail list screen, and then, while the thumbnail list screen is still displayed, the broadcaster who received the gift sends a reply comment in response to the gift from the user. In this case, the display control unit 114 of the user's terminal device 10 displays a reply comment 89 as a pop-up on the thumbnail list screen, as shown in Fig. 10(b). In other words, the display control unit 114 provides the user who sent the gift with the reaction of the person to the gift sent based on the operation on the thumbnail 60, while keeping the thumbnail list screen displayed.

[0132] The display control unit 114 of the terminal device 10 of the user who sent the gift may display a viewing screen 70 for viewing the broadcast of the broadcaster on the display unit 18 based on an operation (for example, a tap operation) in response to a response from the broadcaster (in other words, a reply comment 89) that is displayed as a pop-up on the thumbnail list screen. In other words, the operation accepting unit 111 of the terminal device 10 of the user who sent the gift may accept an operation in response to a response from the broadcaster that is displayed as a pop-up on the thumbnail list screen as an operation to start viewing the broadcast of the broadcaster.

[0133] Note that the reaction to the gift delivery may be provided to the user who sent the gift in the form of audio. Alternatively, the reaction to the gift delivery may be provided to the user who sent the gift in the form of video. For example, the control unit 110 of the broadcaster's terminal device 10 may accept audio input from the broadcaster as a reaction to the gift delivery based on an operation on the reply button 93, and transmit the audio to the terminal device 10 of the user who sent the gift via the server 20. Then, upon receiving the audio, the control unit 110 of the user's terminal device 10 may output the audio from the speaker of the terminal device 10 while keeping the thumbnail list screen displayed.

[0134] In response to the sending of a gift, a return gift may be sent to the user who sent the gift. For example, when a user sends a gift to a broadcaster, the display control unit 114 of the broadcaster's terminal device 10 may display a return button 94 on the broadcasting screen 90 as a UI for sending a reaction to the sending of the gift, instead of or in addition to the reply button 93. Then, based on an operation on the return button 94, the broadcaster may send a return gift to the user. Then, the display control unit 114 of the user's terminal device 10 may display a pop-up on the thumbnail list screen to notify the user that the return gift has been sent. Here, the return gift may be, for example, an image that the recipient user can view exclusively, a stamp that the recipient user can use as a comment on the broadcast, or a predetermined item related to the game (e.g., an item used in a match).

[0135] Furthermore, a broadcaster's response to a gift sent by a user that occurred before the user started watching may be provided to the user when the user starts watching the broadcast by the broadcaster, instead of or in addition to being provided while the thumbnail list screen is displayed. Specifically, when the user starts watching the broadcast, the control unit 110 of the user's terminal device 10 may display the various responses sent based on the broadcaster's operation of the reply button 93, return button 94, etc. on the viewing screen 70 (e.g., chat box 72) or output them to a speaker. For example, suppose that after the broadcaster sends a reply comment in response to a gift sent by the user, the broadcaster and other viewers send comments to the broadcast, and the number of comments sent after the reply comment exceeds the number of comments that can be displayed at one time in the chat box 72 when the user starts watching the broadcast. In such a case, if the chat box 72 were configured to allow users to review past comments, it would be possible for the user to view the reply comment. However, even with such a configuration, the user would still have to operate the chat box 72 to find the broadcaster's reaction to their gift delivery. However, with this configuration, the broadcaster's reaction is provided to the user based on the user starting to watch the broadcaster's broadcast. Therefore, the broadcaster's reaction is automatically provided to the user without the need for any operation in the chat box 72, and the user can enjoy the broadcaster's reaction without any effort. Furthermore, without such a configuration, conventionally, there is a risk that the user would not be able to see (or hear) the broadcaster's reaction to the gift delivery. However, with this configuration, it is possible to avoid such a situation where the user is unable to see or hear the broadcaster's reaction.

[0136] The broadcaster's reaction to the gift sent to the user who sent the gift does not have to be sent to the user based on the broadcaster's operation of a predetermined UI, such as the reply button 93 or the return button (in other words, generated based on the operation). For example, the control unit 110 of the broadcaster's terminal device 10 may automatically recognize the broadcaster's predetermined words and actions (e.g., a statement such as "thank you") after the gift is sent as the broadcaster's reaction to the gift and send it to the user. Also, for example, a character (in other words, an avatar or player character) operated by the broadcaster may be set to perform a predetermined action (e.g., a happy gesture) when a gift is sent, and when a user sends a gift, a display of the character performing the predetermined action may be displayed on the user's terminal device 10 as the broadcaster's reaction to the gift. Also, for example, video and audio of the broadcast for a predetermined period immediately after the gift is sent may be provided to the user as the broadcaster's reaction to the gift. The acquisition of such broadcast video and audio may be performed based on the broadcaster's operation on a predetermined UI, or may be performed automatically.

[0137] (Anonymous gift sending) Gifts may be sent anonymously. Specifically, at least one of sending gifts from within a broadcast and sending gifts from outside a broadcast may be sent anonymously. For example, gifts may be sent anonymously by operating on thumbnail 60. Note that "anonymous sending" necessarily includes cases where gifts are sent anonymously.

[0138] For example, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may be able to set in advance (e.g., before performing each operation related to gift sending) whether sending a gift based on various operations (in other words, sending a gift from within a broadcast or sending a gift from outside a broadcast) will be done anonymously or with the user's username made public, based on the user's operation. In other words, if a gift is sent based on an operation that is set to be done anonymously, the gift may be sent anonymously.

[0139] Furthermore, when sending a gift based on various operations, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may accept an operation to set whether or not the gift is to be sent anonymously.

[0140] Furthermore, for example, whether or not a gift is sent anonymously may be determined for each type of operation related to sending a gift (for example, depending on whether the gift is sent from within the stream or outside the stream). For example, gifts sent from within the stream may be sent with the user name made public, while gifts sent from outside the stream may be sent anonymously.

[0141] Furthermore, whether or not the gift is sent anonymously may be determined depending on the type of gift. For example, when sending a gift by operating a specific thumbnail 60 displayed on the thumbnail list screen, whether or not the gift is sent anonymously may be determined depending on the type of gift selected in the selection UI 83.

[0142] When a gift is sent anonymously, the username of the user who sent the gift is not made public. In other words, when a gift is sent anonymously, as described above, the username of the user who sent the gift is not displayed in the chat box 91 or the like of the broadcaster's broadcasting screen 90, and the broadcaster is not informed of who sent the gift.

[0143] (Gift disclosure range) When a gift is sent from outside the broadcast, the fact that the gift has been sent may not be visible to other users other than the broadcaster (in other words, other viewers). That is, in the past, when a user sends a gift to a broadcaster, not only is the broadcaster notified (e.g., displayed in the chat box 92), but other users (hereinafter referred to as "other viewers") who are watching the broadcaster's broadcast are also notified (e.g., the username of the user who sent the gift and the contents of the gift are displayed in the chat box 72 of the other users). In this embodiment, sending a gift from outside the broadcast may be performed without notifying other viewers in this way. In other words, sending a gift from outside the broadcast may be performed without disclosing to other viewers that the gift has been sent.

[0144] For example, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may be able to set in advance (e.g., before each operation related to gift sending) based on a user's operation whether or not sending a gift based on various operations (in other words, sending a gift from within a broadcast or sending a gift from outside a broadcast) will be made public to other viewers. That is, if a gift is sent based on an operation that is set to not be made public to other viewers, the fact that the gift has been sent will not be made public to other viewers (in other words, it will not be displayed in the chat box 72 of other viewers), and if a gift is sent based on an operation that is not set to not be made public to other viewers, the fact that the gift has been sent may be made public to other viewers.

[0145] Furthermore, when sending a gift based on various operations, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may accept an operation to set whether or not the sending of the gift is to be made public to other viewers.

[0146] That is, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may accept an operation to set the scope of disclosure of the fact that a gift has been sent. The scope of disclosure may be set in units of the broadcaster sending the gift, other users other than the broadcaster, or related users of the broadcaster, or may be set in units of users.

[0147] Furthermore, for example, whether or not the gift sending is made public to other users may be determined for each type of operation related to sending a gift (for example, depending on whether the gift is sent from within the broadcast or outside the broadcast). For example, a gift sent from within the broadcast may be made public to other viewers, while a gift sent from outside the broadcast may not be made public to other viewers.

[0148] Furthermore, for example, whether or not the sending of the gift is made public to other viewers may be determined depending on the type of gift. For example, when sending a gift by operating a specific thumbnail 60 displayed on the thumbnail list screen, whether or not the sending of the gift is made public to other viewers may be determined depending on the type of gift selected in the selection UI 83.

[0149] Note that, although the above description has been given with regard to enabling gifts to be sent from outside the stream without disclosing the fact that the gift has been sent to other viewers, it is also possible for gifts to be sent from outside the stream in a manner that makes the fact that the gift has been sent public to other viewers, but that only the user name is not disclosed to other viewers. That is, for example, when a user sends a gift to a streamer, the streamer is notified of the user's username and the contents of the gift, while other viewers are notified of the contents of the gift but not of the user's username (in other words, the gift can be sent in such a way that it can be recognized that someone has sent the gift, but it cannot be identified who sent it). That is, the above description of "not disclosing the sending of the gift to other viewers" may be interpreted as meaning that the fact that the gift has been sent is public, but the sender's identity is not public.

[0150] In addition, if a user sends a gift in a manner that makes it possible to identify that the gift was sent (i.e., that the gift was sent without being disclosed to other viewers) (for example, by displaying the word "private" in the same way as the word "not in broadcast" in FIG. 10(a)). Furthermore, if a user sends a gift in a manner that makes it possible to identify that the gift was sent (i.e., that the gift was sent without being disclosed to other viewers), the broadcaster may be notified of the sender's identity during the broadcast (for example, the sender's username may not be displayed when a message informing the broadcaster that the gift was sent is displayed in the chat box 92 of the broadcasting screen 90). In this case, the broadcaster may be notified of the sender's identity after the broadcast has ended. This configuration prevents the broadcaster from accidentally reading out the username of the user who sent the gift during the broadcast, which could lead to other viewers finding out that the user sent the gift.

[0151] (Production related to gift delivery) The type of gift is not particularly limited. Conventionally, a type of gift (hereinafter referred to as a "first-type gift") has been known in which, when a user sends a gift, the fact that the gift has been sent and the contents of the sent gift are displayed in a predetermined chat box (e.g., at least one of the chat box 72 of the user who sent the gift, the chat box 92 of the broadcaster to whom the gift was sent, or the chat box 72 of another viewer). Conventionally, a type of gift (hereinafter referred to as a "second-type gift") has been known in which, when a user sends a gift, a predetermined animation is played on a predetermined terminal device 10 (e.g., at least one of the terminal device 10 of the user who sent the gift, the terminal device 10 of the broadcaster to whom the gift was sent, or the terminal device 10 of another viewer). In the service of this embodiment, at least one of a first-type gift and a second-type gift may be transmittable. Note that a second-type gift may be a gift in which not only a predetermined animation is played but also the fact that the gift has been sent and the contents of the sent gift are displayed in a predetermined chat box. In other words, a first-type gift may be a gift in which a predetermined animation is not played but only a predetermined display is displayed in a predetermined chat box.

[0152] In this embodiment, when a second-type gift is sent to a broadcaster who is broadcasting, an animation corresponding to the sent second-type gift is displayed within the video of the broadcast (in other words, superimposed on the video of the broadcast). That is, for example, the display control unit 114 of the broadcaster's terminal device 10 displays an animation corresponding to the sent second-type gift on the broadcasting screen 90. Also, for example, the display control unit 114 of the terminal device 10 of a viewer who is watching the broadcast (e.g., the user who sent the gift or another viewer) displays an animation corresponding to the sent second-type gift on the viewing screen 70. For example, if the second-type gift is a gift that looks like a flower, an effect is executed in which flowers appear within the video of the broadcast, and if the gift is a gift that looks like fireworks, an effect is executed in which fireworks appear within the video of the broadcast.

[0153] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display control unit 114 of the terminal device 10 of a user who has sent a gift to a broadcaster from outside the broadcast causes the display unit 18 to display a specific effect corresponding to the sending of the gift, based on the user starting to watch the broadcaster's broadcast. For example, when the user sends a second-type gift that looks like fireworks to the broadcaster by operating a specific thumbnail 60 displayed on the thumbnail list screen and then starts watching the broadcaster's broadcast by operating the specific thumbnail 60, the display control unit 114 of the terminal device 10 of the user executes an effect in which fireworks appear on the viewing screen 70. Here, the specific effect is provided to other viewers watching the broadcaster's broadcast when the user sends a gift, and when provided to the user based on the user starting to watch the broadcast, it is not provided again to other viewers watching the broadcast. That is, for example, the display control unit 114 of the broadcaster's terminal device 10 and the display control unit 114 of the terminal devices 10 of other viewers cause the display unit 18 to display an effect of fireworks when the user sends a second-type gift that looks like fireworks to the broadcaster by operating a specific thumbnail 60. On the other hand, the display control unit 114 of the broadcaster's terminal device and the display control unit 114 of the terminal devices 10 of other viewers do not cause the display unit 18 to display an effect of fireworks when the user starts watching the broadcast thereafter. Note that the display control unit 114 of the broadcaster's terminal device and the display control unit 114 of the terminal devices 10 of other viewers may cause the display unit 18 to display an effect of fireworks (for the first time or again) when the user starts watching the broadcast.

[0154] A third-type gift may be prepared that can change at least one of the background of the video of the broadcast or the background of the thumbnail 60. When a third-type gift is sent by operating the thumbnail 60 or by performing a predetermined operation while watching a broadcast, the background of the thumbnail 60 or video of the corresponding broadcast changes to a specific background. Here, the specific background may be an advertising background. For example, when a user associated with a company account sends a third-type gift, the background of the thumbnail 60 or video may change to a background advertising the company. Specifically, the advertising background may be such that the username of the user who sent the gift appears in the background of the thumbnail 60 or video. Furthermore, the advertising background may be such that a predetermined image preset by the user who sent the gift appears in the background of the thumbnail 60 or video. A third-type gift may be a gift that changes only the thumbnail 60, but not the broadcast video itself. In this embodiment, the change of the thumbnail 60 or video background to a specific background also occurs on the terminal devices 10 of other users other than the user who sent the gift and the broadcaster to whom the gift was sent (in other words, on the thumbnail list screen or viewing screen 70 viewed by the other users), and the specific background is also visible to the other users, but it may also occur only on the terminal devices 10 of some users, such as the user who sent the gift or the broadcaster to whom the gift was sent.

[0155] (Effects based on sending gifts via multiple routes) A specific effect may be activated based on a user both sending a gift to a broadcaster by operating on a specific thumbnail 60 and sending a gift to the broadcaster by performing a predetermined operation while watching a broadcast related to the specific thumbnail 60. In other words, a specific effect may be activated when a user sends gifts to a specific broadcast via multiple routes.

[0156] For example, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user may cause the display unit 18 to display a special effect based on the user performing both of these actions. Also, for example, the control unit 210 of the server 20 may grant a predetermined benefit to the user based on the user performing both of these actions. Also, whether or not a specific effect is activated, or the type of effect that is activated, may differ depending on the order in which the two actions are performed.

[0157] (Sending gifts to archived broadcasts) Sending gifts by operating the thumbnail 60 may be possible not only for thumbnails 60 related to a currently broadcasting stream, but also for thumbnails 60 related to past broadcasts. Furthermore, the display control unit 114 of the terminal device 10 of the broadcaster to whom the gift is sent may be capable of displaying on the display unit 18 a screen displaying a list of predetermined gifts sent to the broadcaster. Furthermore, the screen may collectively display gifts sent by operating the thumbnails 60 corresponding to each of the broadcaster's multiple past broadcasts. Specifically, the screen may collectively display a first gift sent by operating the thumbnail 60 corresponding to the broadcaster's first past broadcast, a second gift sent by operating the thumbnail 60 corresponding to the broadcaster's second past broadcast, and a third gift sent by operating the thumbnail 60 corresponding to the broadcaster's third past broadcast. This configuration prevents the broadcaster from missing gifts sent for past broadcasts.

[0158] (Image associated with the streamer) As described above, in the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, a list of thumbnails 60 representing images associated with a broadcaster is displayed, and an operation on a specific image in the list is accepted as an operation to send a gift to the broadcaster associated with the specific image. However, the list of images associated with a broadcaster is not limited to a list of thumbnails 60. That is, for example, a screen displaying a list of one's related users (e.g., a list of friends) may display a list of icons for each related user, and an operation on a specific icon may enable a user to send a gift to the related user (in other words, the broadcaster) corresponding to the specific icon. Furthermore, for example, a screen displaying a predetermined ranking related to a game may display a list of character images of users ranked, and an operation on a specific character image may enable a user to send a gift to the user corresponding to the specific character image.

[0159] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a broadcaster who has a predetermined relationship with the user starts a broadcast, the display control unit 114 of the user's terminal device 10 may display a push notification on the display unit 18 notifying the user that the broadcaster has started a broadcast. Then, by operating the displayed push notification, it may be possible to send a gift to the broadcaster associated with the push notification. Furthermore, the display control unit 114 may be capable of displaying a list of received push notifications on the display unit 18. Then, by operating a specific push notification from the list of displayed push notifications, it may be possible to send a gift to the broadcaster associated with the specific push notification.

[0160] That is, in this embodiment, the thumbnail 60 is given as an example of an image associated with a distributor, but the thumbnail 60 may also be interpreted as a user icon, an image of the user's character, an image related to a push notification, or the like.

[0161] (Submitting comments based on actions on thumbnails) As described above, on the thumbnail list screen, it is possible to send a gift to a broadcaster based on an operation on the thumbnail 60. In the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, in addition to or instead of this, it may be possible to send a comment to a broadcaster based on an operation on the thumbnail 60.

[0162] Specifically, the display control unit 114 may display a UI for inputting a comment (e.g., an input field into which a comment can be input) on the thumbnail list screen, similar to the gift button 82 and the selection UI 83. The operation receiving unit 111 may then receive an operation on the UI as an operation for inputting a comment to be sent to the broadcaster, and may also receive an operation for selecting a specific thumbnail 60 from the list of thumbnails 60 as an operation for determining the recipient of the comment. That is, the control unit 110 of the user's terminal device 10 may send a comment to the broadcaster associated with the operated thumbnail 60 based on an operation on the thumbnail 60. The sent comment is displayed, for example, in the broadcaster's chat box 92 or the chat box 72 of another viewer. In other words, the control unit 110 of the user's terminal device 10 may send a comment to the broadcast corresponding to the operated thumbnail 60 based on an operation on the thumbnail 60, and the comment may be viewable by the broadcaster or other viewers.

[0163] Furthermore, when the broadcaster enters a reply comment in response to a comment sent based on an operation on a thumbnail 60 displayed on the thumbnail list screen, the reply comment may be displayed as a pop-up on the thumbnail list screen. Note that the processes related to the broadcaster's entry of a reply comment, the transmission of the entered reply comment, and the pop-up display of the sent reply comment may be similar to those in the case of the reply comment 89 in response to the sending of a gift, for example.

[0164] (Joining the game based on thumbnail actions) It may be possible to influence the progress of the game (in other words, the match) being distributed based on an operation on the thumbnail 60.

[0165] Specifically, the display control unit 114 may display a UI related to an operation for assisting the broadcaster on the thumbnail list screen, similar to the gift button 82 and the selection UI 83. For example, as shown in FIG. 11( a), the display control unit 114 may display an assist button 95 as the UI on the thumbnail list screen. The operation receiving unit 111 may then receive an operation on the assist button 95 and an operation on a specific thumbnail 60 in the list of thumbnails 60 as an operation for assisting the broadcaster associated with the specific thumbnail 60. For example, when an operation for assisting the broadcaster is performed, the control unit 110 of the user's terminal device 10 transmits operation information to the server 20. Based on the transmitted operation information, the game progression unit 212 causes a predetermined object to appear in the virtual space where the broadcaster is playing the game. In other words, based on the transmitted operation information, the game progression unit 212 causes a predetermined object to appear in the virtual space where the broadcaster's character and the broadcaster's opponent's character exist.

[0166] Specifically, it may be possible to assist the broadcaster by operating the assist button 95 and then repeatedly tapping a specific thumbnail 60. In this case, the game progression unit 212 may cause a specific object to appear in the virtual space when the number of operations performed on a specific thumbnail 60 reaches a predetermined number.

[0167] Here, the predetermined object may be, for example, an object for attacking (in other words, inflicting damage on) the opponent's character. As an example, the predetermined object may be a bomb that explodes a certain time after being placed and inflicts damage on surrounding characters. In other words, the user may be able to attack the broadcaster's opponent by operating the thumbnail 60. Note that the predetermined object may also be an object that restores the broadcaster's character, an object that restricts the actions of the opponent's character, or the like.

[0168] Note that an operation to assist the broadcaster may be performed on the viewing screen 70. For example, the display control unit 114 may display an assist button 95 on the viewing screen 70. The operation receiving unit 111 may then receive an operation on the assist button 95 as an operation to assist the broadcaster of the broadcast being viewed. Specifically, it may be possible to assist the broadcaster by repeatedly pressing the assist button 95. In this case, the game progression unit 212 may cause a predetermined object to appear in the virtual space when the assist button 95 is operated a predetermined number of times.

[0169] Note that, when both a broadcaster's assistance based on a predetermined operation on the thumbnail list screen (e.g., a rapid tap on the thumbnail 60) and a predetermined operation on the viewing screen 70 (e.g., a rapid tap on the assist button 95) are possible, the game progression unit 212 may increase the storage value of a predetermined storage area (in other words, a counter) based on the former operation being performed, and may increase the storage value of the predetermined storage area based on the latter operation being performed, and may execute a predetermined process that affects the progress of the game being distributed (e.g., a process of making a predetermined object appear in a virtual space) based on the storage value of the predetermined storage area reaching a predetermined value. In other words, the game progression unit 212 may execute a predetermined process that affects the progress of the game being distributed based on the total number of times both operations are performed reaching a predetermined value. Here, both the predetermined operation on the thumbnail list screen and the predetermined operation on the viewing screen 70 may be performed by the same user, or may be performed by different users. Furthermore, the predetermined operation on the thumbnail list screen and the predetermined operation on the viewing screen 70 may have different degrees of influence on the progress of the game. For example, the former operation and the latter operation may increase the storage value of the specified storage area by a different amount when the operation is performed. Furthermore, the former operation and the latter operation may result in different types of processing (e.g., the type of object to appear in the virtual space) that affects the progress of the game being distributed and is executed by the game progression unit 212.

[0170] Furthermore, the operation receiving unit 111 may receive a user operation on a specific thumbnail 60 in the list of thumbnails 60 as an operation for making a predetermined vote on the distribution related to the specific thumbnail 60. The content of the vote is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a predetermined prediction regarding the broadcast (in other words, the game) (for example, a prediction regarding the game's results, specifically, a prediction regarding the winner or the broadcaster's ranking, etc.), or it may be related to a predetermined survey, etc.

[0171] 11(b), the display control unit 114 may cause the display unit 18 to display a voting UI 96 as a UI for a predetermined vote, based on an operation performed on a specific thumbnail 60 in the list of thumbnails 60. The display control unit 114 may, for example, cause the voting UI 96 to be displayed on a thumbnail list screen. The operation accepting unit 111 may then accept an operation performed on a specific thumbnail 60 in the list of thumbnails 60 and an operation performed on the voting UI 96 as an operation for placing a predetermined vote on the broadcast corresponding to the specific thumbnail 60. The voting UI 96 may, for example, display a list of voting options, allowing the user to place a vote by selecting a specific option from the listed options.

[0172] Note that by casting a vote, a predetermined benefit may be granted to the user who cast the vote. Specifically, for example, if the vote is for making a predetermined prediction about a broadcast, the control unit 210 of the server 20 may grant a predetermined benefit to the user if the prediction of the user who cast the vote is correct. Furthermore, the control unit 210 of the server 20 may grant a predetermined benefit to the user who cast the vote regardless of the selection of the user who cast the vote (in other words, for the act of casting the vote itself).

[0173] (Processing related to sending gifts) Next, an example of a process related to sending a gift executed by the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Here, an example will be described in which user A sends a gift to user B, who is a distributor.

[0174] First, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user A displays a list of thumbnails 60 (for example, the first program guide screen 32 or the second program guide screen 34) on the display unit 18 based on a predetermined operation by the user A (step S101).

[0175] Next, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of user A requests the server 20 to send a gift to a broadcaster associated with the specific thumbnail 60, based on a predetermined operation by user A on a specific thumbnail 60 in the list of thumbnails 60 (step S102). Here, the specific thumbnail 60 is assumed to be a thumbnail 60 associated with user B (in other words, a thumbnail 60 related to a broadcast by user B).

[0176] Next, the control unit 210 of the server 20 sends a gift from user A to user B based on a request from the terminal device 10 of user A (step S103).

[0177] Next, the control unit 210 of the server 20 transmits a signal to the terminal device 10 of the user B notifying that a gift has been sent from the user A to the user B (step S104).

[0178] Next, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user B notifies the user B that a gift has been sent from the user A based on the signal transmitted from the server 20 (step S105).

[0179] When user B performs an operation to send a reply comment in response to the gift sent by user A, the control unit 110 of user B's terminal device 10 sends the reply comment to user A's terminal device 10 via the server 20 based on the operation (step S106).

[0180] Furthermore, when the control unit 110 of user A's terminal device 10 receives a reply comment while the list of thumbnails 60 is displayed on the display unit 18, the control unit 110 causes the received reply comment to be displayed as a pop-up on the display unit 18 while the list of thumbnails 60 remains displayed (step S107).

[0181] In this embodiment, the application for playing a game (e.g., a match) is provided with a function for streaming the game and a function for viewing the game. However, at least one of the streaming and viewing functions may be performed by a different application. For example, streaming and viewing may be achieved using a video streaming service that does not have a function for playing the game. In this case, by linking a user's account on the video streaming service with a user's account on the game in advance, it becomes possible to reflect operations on the video streaming service in the game.

[0182] Furthermore, the information processing system 1 of this embodiment does not necessarily have to have a function for playing games, and may have only a function for distributing and viewing videos, for example.

[0183] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Within the scope of the present invention, the components can be freely combined, any components can be modified, or any components can be omitted. Furthermore, the process flow described in this specification is merely an example, and the order and configuration of each process may be different. Furthermore, some processes, such as the various determination processes described in this specification, may not exist. In other words, the process flow and specific determination processes may differ from those exemplified in this specification.

[0184] <Additional Notes> The matters described in the above embodiment can also be described as follows:

[0185] (Appendix 1) Computer, a display control means (for example, a display control unit 114) that displays a list of images associated with the distributor on a display means; and a receiving unit (for example, an operation receiving unit 111) that receives a user's operation on a specific image in the list as an operation to send a specific value from the user to a distributor related to the specific image. program. With this configuration, it is possible to send a specific value to a specific distributor from a screen that displays a list of images associated with the distributor, so it is possible to send a specific value to a specific distributor from outside of the distribution. Also, with this configuration, it is possible to quickly specify the recipient to whom the specific value is to be sent and quickly send the specific value. Therefore, it is easy to send a specific value to other users.

[0186] (Appendix 2) The image associated with the broadcaster is a thumbnail of the broadcast The program described in Appendix 1. With this configuration, when a list of thumbnails of distribution is displayed, it is possible to send a specific value by operating a specific thumbnail, which makes it possible to send a specific value at a stage before the distribution begins.

[0187] (Appendix 3) Computers, and more The display means functions as a providing means (for example, the control unit 110) that provides the user with a response to the sending of the specific value from the distributor to whom the specific value was sent by operating on the specific image, while displaying the list on the display means. The program described in Appendix 1. With this configuration, even if a user who sends a specific value from a screen displaying a list of images associated with a broadcaster has not started watching the broadcast of the person to whom the specific value was sent, the user can be provided with the other person's reaction.

[0188] (Appendix 4) Computers, and more Based on the user starting to view the broadcast of the broadcaster to whom the specific value was sent by operating on the specific image, the function is a providing means (e.g., the control unit 110) that provides the user with the response of the broadcaster to the sending of the specific value, which response occurred before the user started viewing. The program described in Appendix 1. With this configuration, the other party's reaction that occurred before the user who sent the specific value started watching the broadcast can be provided to the user after the user starts watching the broadcast. Therefore, the other party's reaction can be provided to the user at a timing that makes it easy for the user to enjoy the other party's reaction.

[0189] (Appendix 5) The display control means causes the display means to display a specific effect corresponding to the sending of the specific value, based on the user starting to view a broadcast by a broadcaster to which the specific value was sent by operating the specific image. The program described in Appendix 1. According to this configuration, the effect generated by the delivery of the specific value can be provided to the user after the user starts watching the broadcast, so that the specific effect can be provided to the user at a timing that is convenient for the user to enjoy the effect.

[0190] (Appendix 6) The specific effect is an effect that is provided to other users who are watching the broadcast of the broadcaster of the destination when the user sends the specific value, and when it is provided to the user based on the user starting to watch the broadcast, it is an effect that is not provided again to other users who are watching the broadcast. The program described in Appendix 5. According to this configuration, the effect that occurs as a result of sending a specific value can be specially provided to the user who sent the specific value after the user who sent the specific value starts watching the broadcast.

[0191] (Appendix 7) The sending of the specific value by the operation on the specific image can be done anonymously. The program described in Appendix 1. According to this configuration, a specific value can be sent without revealing the name.

[0192] (Appendix 8) Computers, and more The control unit 110 functions as an effect generating means (e.g., the control unit 210) that generates a specific effect based on the user both sending the specific value to a specific distributor by operating on a specific thumbnail as the specific image and sending the specific value to the specific distributor by a predetermined operation while viewing a distribution related to the specific thumbnail. The program described in Appendix 2. According to this configuration, an incentive is given to sending a specific value via multiple routes, and sending of the specific value can be promoted.

[0193] (Appendix 9) The display control means causes the display means to display a display for confirming whether the operation performed by the user is intended to send the specific value, based on a specific operation performed by the user on a specific thumbnail as the specific image. The program described in Appendix 2. This configuration can prevent a user from accidentally sending a specific value.

[0194] (Appendix 10) The accepting means accepts a specific operation by the user with respect to a specific thumbnail as the specific image as an operation for making a predetermined vote regarding distribution related to the specific thumbnail while the list is being displayed on the display means. The program described in Appendix 2. With this configuration, when a list of thumbnails is displayed, it is possible to perform a predetermined vote for a broadcast related to a specific thumbnail by operating on the specific thumbnail, thereby enabling participation in the broadcast from outside the broadcast.

[0195] (Appendix 11) Computers, and more functioning as game progression means (e.g., game progression unit 113, game progression unit 212) that executes processing related to the progression of a predetermined game; the image associated with the broadcaster is a thumbnail of the broadcast of the predetermined game; The game progression means executes a predetermined process that affects the progress of the predetermined game being distributed based on a specific operation of the user on a specific thumbnail as the specific image. The program described in Appendix 1. With this configuration, it is possible to participate in a game being distributed from outside the game distribution.

[0196] (Appendix 12) a display control means (for example, a display control unit 114) that displays a list of images associated with the distributor on a display means; and a receiving unit (for example, an operation receiving unit 111) that receives a user's operation on a specific image in the list as an operation to send a specific value from the user to a distributor related to the specific image. Information processing system. According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the program described in Supplementary Note 1 can be achieved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0197] 1 Information processing system, 10 Terminal device, 11 Processor, 12 Memory, 13 Storage, 17 Input unit, 18 Display unit, 20 Server, 21 Processor, 22 Memory, 23 Storage, 60 Thumbnail, 110 Control unit, 111 Operation acceptance unit, 112 Transmission / reception unit, 113 Game progression unit, 114 Display control unit, 115 User relationship processing unit, 116 Distribution unit, 120 Memory unit, 210 Control unit, 211 Transmission / reception unit, 212 Game progression unit, 215 User relationship management unit, 216 Gift processing unit, 220 Memory unit

Claims

1. Computer, a display control means for displaying on a display means a list screen displaying thumbnails of videos distributed by a distributor who distributes videos; The device functions as a receiving means for receiving a user's operation on a specific thumbnail among the thumbnails displayed in a list as an operation to send a gift from the user to a distributor of a video corresponding to the specific thumbnail, without opening a viewing screen of the video corresponding to the specific thumbnail. program.

2. A computer, a display control means for causing a display means to display a list screen displaying a list of icons of distributors who distribute videos; and a receiving means for receiving a user's operation on a specific icon among the icons displayed in a list as an operation to send a gift from the user to a distributor of a video corresponding to the specific icon, without opening a viewing screen of the video corresponding to the specific icon. program.

3. Computers, and more The display means functions as a providing means for providing the user with a response to the gift sent by the broadcaster to whom the gift was sent by operating the specific thumbnail, while displaying the list screen on the display means. The program according to claim 1.

4. Computers, and more The device functions as a providing means for providing the user with the reaction of the destination broadcaster to the sending of the gift, which reaction occurred before the user started viewing, based on the user starting viewing of the video stream of the destination broadcaster to whom the gift was sent by operating on the specific thumbnail. The program according to claim 1.

5. The display control means causes the display means to display a specific effect corresponding to the sending of the gift, based on the user starting to watch a video stream of a streamer to whom the gift was sent by operating the specific thumbnail. The program according to claim 1.

6. The specific effect is an effect that is provided to other users who are watching the streamed video of the streamer of the destination when the user sends the gift, and when the specific effect is provided to the user based on the user starting to watch the streamed video, it is an effect that is not provided again to other users who are watching the streamed video. The program according to claim 5.

7. The sending of the gift by the operation on the specific thumbnail can be done anonymously. The program according to claim 1.

8. Computers, and more The device functions as an effect generating means that generates a specific effect based on the user's execution of both sending the gift to a specific distributor by operating the specific thumbnail and sending the gift to the specific distributor by a predetermined operation while watching a video distributed by the specific distributor. The program according to claim 1.

9. A display control means for displaying on a display means a list screen displaying thumbnails of videos distributed by a distributor who distributes videos; and a receiving means for receiving a user's operation on a specific thumbnail among the thumbnails displayed in a list as an operation to send a gift from the user to a distributor of the video corresponding to the specific thumbnail, without opening a viewing screen of the video corresponding to the specific thumbnail. Information processing system.

10. A display control means for displaying on a display means a list screen displaying a list of icons of distributors who distribute videos; and a receiving means for receiving a user's operation on a specific icon among the icons displayed in a list as an operation for sending a gift from the user to a distributor of the video corresponding to the specific icon, without opening a viewing screen for the video corresponding to the specific icon. Information processing system.

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